Minister for National Defence and Emergency Services Dr. Billy Joseph today congratulated members of the PNG Defence Force who graduated from the Royal Military College (RMC) of Australia (6) and the National Defence University in Beijing, China (2).
The six graduates from RMC were among 212 newly commissioned officers from other countries including Australia, Qatar, Singapore and Thailand who took part in the passing out parade in Duntroon, Canberra, yesterday. The daughter of John Feakes, Australian High Commissioner to PNG was also among the graduates.
The graduation parade was reviewed by the Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston, AC, RAN.
The six PNGDF graduates from RMC are Lt. Valentine Kuira, 2Lt. Neville Timo, 2Lt. Benjamin Gavugeno, 2Lt. Ryan Emolle, 2Lt. Jerome Mura and 2Lt. Elizabeth Solomon.
“The country, PNGDF and their families are proud of the achievements of the six PNGDF officers, and as Minister responsible, I wish to extend my congratulations to them for completing their military training courses and passing out with their new Queen’s Commissioned Officer-ranks from the Royal Military College-Duntroon of Australia,” Minister Joseph said.
For many years now the PNG Defence Force has sent its best performing officer cadets of the land element (Army) to the RMC for training to be commissioned second lieutenants. The training is considered intense and demanding and prepare cadets for military careers by promoting learning, building leadership and integrity.
When congratulating the six graduates, Minister Joseph also acknowledged the strong historical bonds between PNG Defence Force and the Australian Defence Force and thanked the Australian Government for providing the opportunity for PNGDF officers to be trained and groomed at the RMC, which is Australia’s premier officer training institute.
“Besides other government links between PNG and Australia, the link between the military forces of our two countries was forged after WW2 and the strong operational contacts, friendships and professional exchanges between the PNG Defence Force and the ADF remain very close to this day. No PNG government department has the strong professional bond with any Australian federal agencies to match that which the PNGDF has with the ADF.
And I thank the Australian Government for the strategic investments adding more value to this relationship, under which six of our officers have passed out from the prestigious Royal Military College in Canberra,” Dr. Billy said.
The Minister also congratulated Colonel Rodney Yahamani and Lieutenant Colonel Michael Marai for completing their Defence Strategic Studies last month and graduating with master’s degree from China’s National Defence University. These two officers are former graduates of the Royal Military College of Australia,
